PrepMaticThirukkural · அறத்துப்பால் · துறவறவியல்
தவம்: Penance
About this chapter
தவம், penance, describes the discipline of self-denial and says what it is for. In the section on the renunciant's virtues, it explains the power that comes from controlling oneself.
Kural 261 gives the definition: penance has two parts, enduring the suffering that comes to oneself and not causing pain to others. Kural 262 says penance serves those who truly practise it and is empty pretence in others, and Kural 263 asks whether others have forgotten penance, since they spend their effort providing for ascetics. Kurals 264 and 265 describe the powers claimed for it: the power to destroy foes and favour friends, and to obtain whatever is wished for. Kural 266 says that the ones who do penance perform their duty, and the rest are lost in desire. Kural 267 gives the chapter's finest image, gold shining brighter the hotter the fire, just as those who endure pain grow purer. Kural 268 says all creatures will worship one who has full command of himself, and Kural 269 says even the god of death can be passed. Kural 270 ends with a remark on the world, that since penance is practised by few and neglected by many, the many are destitute and the few are prosperous.
Kural 261 is the most useful, for its two-part definition. Kural 267 is the most memorable image.
The 10 kurals of தவம்
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
உற்றநோய் நோன்றல் உயிர்க்குறுகண் செய்யாமை
அற்றே தவத்திற் குரு.
Utranoi Nondral Uyirkkurukan Seyyaamai
Atre Thavaththir Kuru
To bear due penitential pains, while no offenceHe causes others, is the type of 'penitence'
தவமும் தவமுடையார்க்கு ஆகும் அதனை
அஃதிலார் மேற்கொள் வது.
Thavamum Thavamutaiyaarkku Aakum Adhanai
Aqdhilaar Merkol Vadhu
To 'penitents' sincere avails their 'penitence'; Where that is not, 'tis but a vain pretence
துறந்தார்க்குத் துப்புரவு வேண்டி மறந்தார்கொல்
மற்றை யவர்கள் தவம்.
Thurandhaarkkuth Thuppuravu Venti Marandhaarkol
Matrai Yavarkal Thavam
Have other men forgotten 'penitence' who striveTo earn for penitents the things by which they live
ஒன்னார்த் தெறலும் உவந்தாரை ஆக்கலும்
எண்ணின் தவத்தான் வரும்.
Onnaarth Theralum Uvandhaarai Aakkalum
Ennin Thavaththaan Varum
Destruction to his foes, to friends increase of joyThe 'penitent' can cause, if this his thoughts employ
வேண்டிய வேண்டியாங் கெய்தலால் செய்தவம்
ஈண்டு முயலப் படும்.
Ventiya Ventiyaang Keydhalaal Seydhavam
Eentu Muyalap Patum
That what they wish may, as they wish, be won, By men on earth are works of painful 'penance' done
தவஞ்செய்வார் தங்கருமஞ் செய்வார்மற் றல்லார்
அவஞ்செய்வார் ஆசையுட் பட்டு.
Thavanj Cheyvaar Thangarumanj Cheyvaarmar
Rallaar Avanjeyvaar Aasaiyut Pattu
Who works of 'penance' do, their end attain, Others in passion's net enshared, toil but in vain
சுடச்சுடரும் பொன்போல் ஒளிவிடும் துன்பஞ்
சுடச்சுட நோற்கிற் பவர்க்கு.
Sutachchutarum Ponpol Olivitum Thunpanjjch
Utachchuta Norkir Pavarkku
The hotter glows the fining fire, the gold the brighter shines; The pain of penitence, like fire, the soul of man refines
தன்னுயிர் தான்அறப் பெற்றானை ஏனைய
மன்னுயி ரெல்லாந் தொழும்.
Thannuyir Thaanarap Petraanai Enaiya
Mannuyi Rellaan Thozhum
Who gains himself in utter self-control, Him worships every other living soul
கூற்றம் குதித்தலும் கைகூடும் நோற்றலின்
ஆற்றல் தலைப்பட் டவர்க்குல்.
Kootram Kudhiththalum Kaikootum Notralin
Aatral Thalaippat Tavarkkul
E'en over death the victory he may gain, If power by penance won his soul obtain
இலர்பல ராகிய காரணம் நோற்பார்
சிலர்பலர் நோலா தவர்.
Ilarpala Raakiya Kaaranam Norpaar
Silarpalar Nolaa Thavar
The many all things lack! The cause is plain, The 'penitents' are few The many shun such pain
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